Stay ~ Applewood Series #1

12| jesse

Over the moon, on cloud nine, walking on air, whatever you want to call it is what I am. After our conversation on the phone while I was in New York I was prepared to not have an answer or a flat out no from her when I came back. Instead I am happily surprised in the turn of events that occurred last night.

My hope is that now she'll let loose a little more around me. Even before she told me her worries last night I knew that she overthinks during our conversations. I can see the wheels turning in her head at all times of silence. For me the gaps between are never weird, but I can see how they would make her uneasy. We'll get there, slowly but surely and fingers crossed we build up our relationship enough to where we are okay long distance.

If not by then, we will talk about it when the time comes, but for now I want to focus on making it work. I meant what I said, I will do everything I can to make her happy because Abby just being with me as herself is everything I want.

"I see last night went well," Nate comments. My face surely gave it away but I still slap him lightly on the shoulder.

"Shut up," I say and he just laughs knowing I don't really mean it.

"Well did it?"

I laugh and rub my neck. "Yeah it did. She said she'd give it a go." The words alone still make me giddy. Maybe a month is not long objectively, but when you're waiting for something you want so bad it feels much longer.

Nate pats me on the back. "That's great man, I'm happy for you. To be honest I didn't think she would say yes."

"Me either," I confess. "We had this talk when I was with my sister that really got me preparing for major disappointment."

"What was it about?" he asks. "The talk I mean."

I sigh feeling like such an asshole even talking about it. "I may have made her feel like she was under pressure for a certain answer in a specific amount of time. I apologized and she sounded so worried and relieved I thought for sure she would at least have a to be determined kind of answer."

"What was she so worried about in the first place? Actually, I'm being too nosey, that's none of my business," he backtracks but I wave my hand. It doesn't bother me to tell him what is going on. Honestly he's pretty helpful most of the time anyway.

"No, it's fine. She is worried about what happens when my work is finished here and I move somewhere else. She thinks I won't come back for her after I leave," I explain.

"Will you?" he asks.

"Of course, why wouldn't I?" I reply. Does everyone around here believe I am just going to vanish into thin air?

He shrugs. "No reason, but would you ever consider settling down here with her? I mean, you're doing great things for my family and I would be more than willing to take you on as a full time employee if you want."

I rub my face up and down, the pressure inside my head building. The offer is real nice and I would love to work for him more if he needs, but I don't think I can commit to that right now. "I don't know man. Maybe if things get serious enough I'll consider staying here, but for now my plans are the same. But I mean, I was kind of thinking our relationship would turn long distance afterwards anyway."

"Does she know that?" he asks.

"I assume so. I mean, that's what I have been saying since the beginning. Do you think she thinks otherwise?" I ask, slightly panicking. Sure I was the one to pursue the relationship in the first place, but I have been nothing but clear on my stance with my plans, she knows them too. So why is his question making me doubt it?